Knicks Bulletin: ‘He’s over there playing R&B in a room full of half-naked men’

New York gave Washington no chance and everydoby sounded happy in victory.

The Knicks wrapped up their four-game homestand before embarking on a freakish five-game, West Coast trip starting Wednesday with a visit to the Suns in Phoenix.

So what did New York do on Monday? Destroy the lowly Washington Wizards, final score of 134-106. No-contest, knockout victory by the Orange & Blue, this one was, with the Knicks moving up to a strong 8-6 record that has the team in possession of the no. 4 seed and just half a game behind the Magic.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few Knickerbocker players had to say before and after Monday’s demolition.

Tom Thibodeau

On the 40-point first quarter against Washington:

“Guys are getting into a good rhythm, chemistry is good.”

On Jalen Brunson’s start to the game:

“The aggressiveness was huge to set the tone to begin the game.”

On the improving team chemistry:

“I think guys are starting to get a good rhythm. The chemistry is good.”

On the great ball movement against the Wizards:

“When you play like that [with a lot of movement], the ball breathes and there’s a good energy to it.

“I thought the unselfishness was terrific.”

On Jericho Sims’ role within these Knicks:

“He’s done a good job. Defensively he’s very good. As time goes on he’s gonna find when there’s overhelp to get out of his screens quicker and put pressure on the rim. He’s a freak athletically. I think having that vertical threat at the rim is huge for your offense.”

On Cam Payne’s role:

“Another spark plug. I like the energy he brings off the bench, the pace of the game. And obviously it picks up and we’re still trying to find a rhythm with that group.

“He likes to play fast and that energy is invaluable. He can handle the ball, he can play off the ball as well.”

On Miles McBride’s knee injury:

“I’m not quite sure (if McBride’s current inflammation is related to October’s hyperextension). We just want to let it calm down. And then once he’s ready to go, we just don’t want him to linger. Getting a little better. Just be patient.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the improving results on the court and focusing on building toward the playoffs:

“I don’t think we worry about another team but the New York Knicks.

“As long as the New York Knicks are playing basketball and we’re getting better, that’s all we can worry about”

On Jericho Sims’ posterization of Kyle Kuzma:

“I had a front row seat. It was amazing.”

On the upcoming road trip coming at the right time:

“I think what gives us momentum is the way we’re playing. We’re playing good basketball now.”

On the rise of three-point shooting in the NBA:

“Blame the Warriors for that.

“There’s a lot of success in the philosophy that’s trying to be implemented in the NBA right now, so everyone’s trying to strive to get a championship.”

Josh Hart

On Jalen Brunson’s chances of finishing the year with a career-high assists mark:

“For sure. The opportunity is there.

“With that said, we want him to be aggressive and have a score-first mentality. When he does that, everything takes care of itself”

On Karl-Anthony Towns’ passing ability:

“He’s even a better passer than I thought. Now he’s over there playing R&B in a room full of half-naked men.”

Jalen Brunson

On passing versus shooting when open:

“It’s a difficult concept. Sometimes I do think you’re open but you think you can do something else. Then all of a sudden it’s not there.”

On team chemistry:

“We’re starting to get comfortable with each other and it shows.”